The Two Ways in 1 Nephi 2

As I read through the Book of Mormon, I'm paying particular attention to the concept of "the Two Ways." I believe this doctrine heavily influenced the worldview of the Book of Mormon writers (at least much more so than our typical modern worldview).

In this chapter, a few paired themes stand out.

Obedience/Reluctance to obey

Obedience:

2:1 -- Lehi is blessed by the Lord for his obedience.
2:2-3 -- Lehi is commanded by the Lord to depart into the wilderness. He immediately obeys.

Reluctance to obey:

2:14 -- Laman and Lemuel obey only after being confounded by Lehi.

Belief/Desire/Seeking Inspiration versus Unwilling to believe, unwilling to seek inspiration

Belief/Desire/Seeking Inspiration:

2:16 -- "...I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord;"
2:17 -- Sam believes in the words of Nephi.

Unwilling to believe, unwilling to seek inspiration:

2:12 -- Laman and Lemuel "murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them."
2:13 -- "Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets."

Love of God/Love of worldly things

Love of God:

2:4 -- Lehi "left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness."
2:15 -- Lehi dwells in a tent.

Love of worldly things:

2:11 -- Laman and Lemuel murmur because of the loss of their worldly wealth.

Gratitude/Murmuring

Gratitude:

2:7 -- Lehi "he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God."

Murmuring:

2:11 -- Laman and Lemuel murmur because their father is a visionary man.

Willingness to lovingly exhort/Tendency to mock/scorn

Willingness to lovingly exhort:

2:8-9 -- Lehi exhorts Laman and Lemuel to be steadfast and righteous.
2:14 --  "...my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him;"

Tendency to mock/scorn:

2:11 -- Laman and Lemuel accuse their father of leading them inito the wilderness due to the "foolish imaginations of his heart."
2:13 -- "they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father."


Blessings/Cursings:


The entire chapter contains a contrast between Laman and Lemuel and Lehi, Nephi, and Sam.  The conclusion of the chapter contains a contrast of blessings and cursings:

19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.
20 And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.
21 And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
22 And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren.
23 For behold, in that day that they shall rebel against me, I will curse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also.